Audacity 4 Is a Complete Revamp of the 'World's Most Popular' Audio Editor
Audacity 4 updates the open-source audio editor with non-destructive editing, overlapping clips and a modern interface, The Verge reports.
The biggest change is a shift to non-destructive editing. In Audacity 4, users can trim a clip and then recover the audio by dragging the clip's edge back out. Clips can also overlap, so users can paste audio when there isn't enough space and adjust later, or freely drag audio around the timeline. Previously, dragging a clip past another one would stop at the existing audio, forcing users to cut and paste it.
The update also lets users split clips to chop up and rearrange audio. The developers refreshed clip envelopes and built-in effects, added a home screen with revamped project organization, and introduced customizable themes. The Verge described the design overhaul as a dramatic facelift that brings Audacity in line with Muse's other products, such as MuseScore and Audio.com.
Audacity has been a staple of many people's toolkits since it debuted in 2000, but its design and layout remained largely stubborn as new features were added. The Verge said the refresh also follows a mini controversy last year over an early redesigned logo, though the final icon is not nearly as bad as the rendition circulated in October.